Question

The client is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia along with various other signs and symptoms. What is the priority for the nurse to manage?

a) High fever.
b) Administering pain relief.
c) Providing respiratory support.
d) Reducing chest congestion.

Answer 1

The priority for nursing management when a client is admitted with pneumonia is providing respiratory support to ensure adequate gas exchange and breathing.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and accompanying symptoms such as high fever, chest congestion, and pain, the priority for the nurse is providing respiratory support. Pneumonia involves inflammation of the alveoli, which are filled with fluid, leading to impaired gas exchange and difficulty in breathing. Treatment for bacterial pneumonia includes antibiotics, but immediate nursing care must focus on ensuring the patient can breathe adequately. This often involves oxygen therapy, positioning to facilitate easier breathing, and potentially more advanced respiratory support depending on the severity of the pneumonia.

While high fever, pain, and chest congestion are important to manage, they are secondary to respiratory stabilization. Once respiratory function is supported, efforts to reduce fever, relieve pain, and decrease chest congestion can be more effectively undertaken.